Lift-blank and holder therefor



July 6, 1943.

D, F. HYLAND ET AL L1 FT -BLANK AND HOLDER THEREFOR Filed May 2, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 July 6, 1943. D. F. HYLAND Erm.

LIFT-BLANK AND HOLDER THEREFOR Filed May 2, 1942 2 sheets-sheet 2 Patented `luly 6, 1943 2,323,541 LEFT-BLANK AND nonnen rnnnnron Daniel F. Hyland and John Hugo L. Brenner, Webster Brenner, St. Louis, Mo.,

Graph Company, of Missouri C. Stiles, St. Louis. Groves,- and John assignors to Arch-- St. Louisjlvo., a corporation v Application May 2, 1942, Serial No; 441,54@

(Cl.` IZAGQ) 14 Claims.

This-invention pertains to the art of fitting shoes to feet, and more particularly to lifts which may be formed to appropriate shape to accomplish such fitting and to holders for such lifts adapted to support them in proper position with reference to forming apparatus. This application is a continuation in part of application Serial No. 344,458, led July 8, 1940.

The above-mentioned application describes apparatus whereby a lift-blank may be formed accurately to a shape such that its thickness at any point is equal to the difference between the height of the sole of the foot and the height of the inside soie surface of the shoe. Such apparatus provides a forming tool which is suitably driven and controlled so as to operate upon the litt-blank by cutting or otherwise forming the same at diii'erent points of its surface so as to reduce it to the desired configuration.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide a lift-blank suitable for use in such apparatus.

Another object is to provide a holder properly fitted to the apparatus and arranged to hold the lift-blank in proper relation thereto.

Another object is to provide such a holder and blank in combination so arranged that the blank,

must be positioned upon the holder in a proper manner so that it will be correctly oriented with respect to the forming apparatus. i

Another object is to provide such a lift-blank holder combination so arranged that different shaped blanks for right and left shoes, respectively, may be piaced in the saine holder, and in each case engaged with securing devices so arranged that the blank cannot be properly secured except in proper orientation and alignment.

Another object is t0 provide a blank so formed as -to require the least possible amount of reforming in the aforesaid apparatus in order to make it-t a particular wearer. Another object is to provide novel anchoring means on the blank and on the holder to correspond with each other so that any blank may be quickly and accurately mounted in the holder.

Further objects will appear from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

. Figure l is a plan view of the lift-.blank table of the forming machine, such as described in the above-mentioned application;

Figure 2 is a section taken on line 2-2 of Figure 1;

`Figure 3 is a section on line 3 3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a plan View of thel blank holder shown viii Figures'l and 2;

Figure 5 is a top View in perspective of one form Of lift-blank;

Figure 6 is a plan view slightly enlarged of ratus for receiving the shoe which is to be tted to the foot modeled, and for supporting it in proper position. [it another location oh the machine a table is provided to hold the lift blank.

The apparatus is then arranged with control means, including a feeler which may' be made to follow the surface of the foot model and a stylus which may at the same time be made to follow the inside sole suriace of the shoe. rrhese devices cooperate through suitable control mechanism to control the movements of the liit-blank table andthe forming tool, so as to nieve them relativeiy to each other in such a manner that the lift is formed by the tool to a thickness at Aevery point thereof equal to the difference in the heights of the model and the shoe surface at the corresponding points.

Such a lift-blank table is shown at 5ft in Figure l. In this application the same reference numerals are used as in the parent application.

The table ed `is supported by a pair or arms which are hinged at their other ends to the apparatus, these `connections not being shown in the drawings. Table 5t is equipped with a longitudinal bar 'i placed below the table and engaged by a pair of rollers it attached to and movable by the aforesaid apparatus.- These connections also are not shown in the drawings as they are part of the Aforming apparatus. However, Vthe operation of said apparatus is such that the arm lit, carrying the roller 14, is operated so asto raise and lower the table 5i in accordance with the sole surface of the shoe. At the same time a forming tool, such as a cutter 6, is operated by the apparatus to rise and fall in accordance with the height of the model of the foot sole. These on an arm i3,

height or" the inside One arrangement for mounting the lift-blank in the holder 54 is shown in Figures 1 to 4, inclusive. The table 54 comprises generally the form of a shallow pan provided on the inside thereof with side rails |3| adapted to receive and locate the blank-supporting plate or holder 5l. This plate may be removably fitted into the pan 54. For this purpose the plate may be provided at one end with a perforation |33 engageable by a retaining -spring |34 within the pan 54. The front end of the plate isturned upwardlyand provided with a vertical flange |35, fitting Yinto an opening in' the frontwall of the pan 54. Mounted on the flange |35 isa handle |36, the "side'extending ange portions being adapted to' engage the front ends of the rails |3|. This secures the plate against the tension of the spring |34.

The plate is provided at its front end with a pair of perforations |39, having a sort ofkeyhole shape adapted to receive a downwardly eX- tending key on aholding bai` |4|, which is engaged under a facing |46 on the top side of the'lift-blank |42 with' thekey |43 projecting downwardly through an opening in the'facing. A similar key |43, similarly mounted on the opposite end of the lift blank, is passed through the perforation sion bar |44, as shown in Figure 2, so as to secure the lift-blank in place in the holder, and, at the same time, tension the same lengthwise so as to keep it flat.

`The lift-blank `may beV formed as-illustrated in Figures 1 and 5. Figure 1 shows a plan view of what is the upper surface of the blank while being operated upon, but which, according to the method of this invention, becomes the undersurface when the lift is applied to the shoe. Figure 5 shows the opposite surface to that of Figure 1. Figure 5 shows that this surface is substantially flat, while the surface operated upon, as shown in Figure 1, may have an elevated portion |45 located at that part of the blank which must, usually be formed higher.

As shown in Figure 5, the flat side of the blank may beprovided with a suitable nished surface, such as the facing or sock lining |46 of fabric, leather, or the like, so that when the opposite face of the blank has been formed and the same is inverted and placed in a shoe, this surface will be uppermostl and will provide` a finished surface for the inside of the shoe. `Inaddition to the sock lining |46, a chart |41 may be applied to the blank in any suitable manner. This chart has provided on a diagram the outlines to which the lift is to be trimmed for several different sizes of shoes. the lengths of the different shoe sizes are given so as toindicate to the operator the point at which the liftis to terminate for the respective sizes. At |49 are given designations of sizes, and along the outside of the foot is of outlines |50 to which the lift may be trimmed. Accordingly, this chart serves as a guide to the operator by means of which he may quickly |33 and engaged by a spring ten- As shown at |48,A

a series' trim the finished lift to the proper shoe to be fitted. As this is usually done after the lift has been formed, the thickness of the lift along the outline to be trimmed is usually very small and the trimming operation is therefore easily and quickly performed with the aid of these lines. The'chart |41 may be removably attached to the blank, as, for instance, by securing it adhesively at one or both ends, preferably beyond the limits of the diagram so that the secured portions are eventually trimmed olf. This diagram may also be placed directly on the sock lining, in which case it will usually remain on the lift after it is finished.

The table or pan 54 is so positioned that the forming tool G8 will operate within the side flanges thereof, and in order to prevent the cuttings from being scattered about one or more closure plates may be placed upon the top edges of said fianges. In the arrangement illustrated in Figures 2 and 3 a series of 'such plates is employed, each having a perforation through which the forming tool may be inserted, but theperforations in the successive sheets being of dierent sizes. The ylower sheet has a large perforation which permitsthe'forming tool to move over the greater portion of the area of the blank without requiring shifting of the plate except when the tool. moves to the extreme limits of that area. The succeeding plate, resting upon the first plate, is large enough to cover the perforation in the first lplate and is itself provided with a'smaller perforation such that the tool may move about therewithin without shifting the second plate except when near 4 the edges, and then `the shift will.not be sufcient to uncover the perforation in the lower plate. Thus, each succeeding plate has a smaller opening and covers the opening in the one below it. By this arrangement the forming tool may be moved over the entire area ofthe blank and still the pan 54 will remain covered so that the cuttings are not thrown about.

In order .to carry away the cuttings, ,the lower portion of the pan 54 may be formed to a spout i8, connected in any suitable manner to suction apparatus, not shown.

It will be noted'that in the blank shown in Figure 5 the key portions of the holder bars |4| and |43 are displaced laterally'withv respect to each other. The perforations |39 in the holder 5l are also displaced laterally with respect to the opening |33. .The openings ,|39 are displaced in opposite directionsfrom the `axis of the holder passing through the center of the opening |33, so that one of them may be engaged by the holder of a right-hand blank and the other for the holder of a left-hand blank. It also will be noted, from the shapeof the blank as shownin Figure 1 and its positiorrwhen .mounted the holder,

that it is ,impossible toput a right blank into the left socket |39, ,or viceversa'. Also, when the blank is thus properly mounted in the openings |33 and |39, it is accurately aligned onthe holder and tensioned to hold it fiat.

Figures 6 to 9, inclusive," illustrate another blank and holder combination embodying this invention. In'th lift blank shown in these figures the facing or socklining |46 is also extended beyond the ends of the blank `vat substantial dista ceto provide' for securing it to the anchoring devices which anchor =fitf to theholderI and for clearance for the cutter 68. These extensions are indicated at |55 in Figure 9. In this case, however, instead of being secured to a holder bar,

such as |4| and |43, these extensions are secured directly to the holder |51. In the embodiment shown, the holder is provided with a series of anchoring members in the form of hooks |56. These may be formed by punching tongues from the'top 'plate-of the holder, butsevering them only partly and `bending them upwardly, as shown in Figure 8. With this arrangement the extensions |55 of the facing may be provided with perforations |58 spaced so as to match the hooks |56, s'o that the hooks may be inserted, as shown in Figures 6 and 8, so as to secure the facing to the top of `the holder. Thehooks are arranged in a row across 'the holder; However, their spacing is noneuniform. Certain of the hooks are spaced at uniform intervalsyas indicatedat a.i

However, at at least one point near each side edge of the holder the distance betweensuccessive hooksiis changed, as indicated at b. The distance b may be either greater or less than the,

distance a. It is selected so that it is not an even multiple of thedistance a., but preferably has n'o particular arithmetical relation to the distance a.Y The purpose ofthis arrangement is` to provide' a break inthe regular spacing of the hooks. The spacing of the perforations |58 in the facing `of the blank corresponds exactly to that of the hooks on the holder. However, since each blank is either a right or a left, it will have perforations matching'only a certain number of the hooks at oneside of the holder |51. However, it must, of course, have the same regularity of spacing for the vp erforations |58 as is used for the hooks |56 so that the perforations may b e properly engaged with the hooks, as already ex'- plained. The provision of the odd spacing b makes it impossible to shift the blank to one side or the other and still engage it with Vthe hooks, as in that case some of the holes will not match. It will be seen, therefore, that this arrangement insures the accurate alignment of the blank on the holder. l

In order to secure the other end of the blank and tension the same, a sliding frame |59 is mounted in rails Hill pn the underneath side of the holder, as Shown in Figure 7. This frame may slide in the rails |60 endwise of the holder, and has secured thereto a manipulating bar-ll. A compression spring |62 surrounds the bar |6| so as to bear at one end againstthe frame |59 and at the other against a stop bracket |53 secured to the holder. 'This provides thatV the frame |59 is forced outwardly or to the right of Figure 'lby the spring'ISZ.- The bar I6! may be provided with a handle portion` |54, by means of whichit maybe retracted, and the bracket |53 may be provided with e, hook |55, behind which the handle |64 maybe lodged after retracting the spring, so as to hold the frame |59y in retracted position.

The fra-ine E 59 is provided with a series of windows |55, spaced so as to match a series of slots |51 in the top plate of the holder 51, the arrangevment being such't'hat each `one oi' these windows slides back and. forth beneatlione of the slots |S1. Qne edge of each of the windows |56 is provided with a series of teeth |68, and the corprovide@ with aseriesof perferetions *S9 matching the teeth B8. rl"he arrangement is suchV that tionsgthe handle 64" may; be released from the hook |55 and the spring |62l will then force the frame |59 t 9 the right (Figure 7)thereby placing the facing ofthe lift-blankin tension between the teeth |68 and the hooks |56. This locates the blank on the holder, Aas shown inY Figure 6, in Aproper position to be operated upon by the tool 58. It will be noted that here also the slots 61 andthe windows I66 d o not extend continuously across theholder, but are interrupted by bars I'i'l'and |710, respectively. The extension |55 of the `lift-blank facing is provided with a notch |12 to receive the v bars |10 and |1 It will be noted that each lift-blank isprovided with a notch |12 at onlyV one side thereof, and similarly the odd spacing b of the periorations 58 is provided at only one side-of the'blank. This distinguishes between yright-and-left blanks,

so that a right-'blank cannot be positioned on that sideof the holder intended for a'left blank, or vice versa. It will be notedalso that by cooperation of the odd spacings, provided by the notch |12 and theodddistance b, there is no way to place the blank on "the holder Yexcept insuch of the-forming tool; Y f

' The lift-'biank itself is formed'so as' tof-require a minimum of cutting in order to shape it to the proper shape in the forming machine. The facing |55, as already describedmay'be 'formed of leather, fabric', or other suitable tensionable material so that it can be stretched taut'in the holder. The body portion of the lift-blank may be madeof any -suitablematerial which-can be formed by the 'forming tool 68. 'A satisfactory material has been found to be cork.v Cork made up in` sheetform out of granular cork, consolidated "by" pressure with 'or 'without a suitable binder, has been found verysatisfactory It has alsob'eenbfound that the'fo'rm of blank vshown in Figures -6 and 9v requires a minimum of cutting. In this form what may bel termed the top surface |13 in Figure 9 is usually at, that is, substantially'parallel with the facing 55, and

'position' as to lbe accurately aligned forY operation of a suitable thickness, usually not more than vinside surface o f a shoe at `the arch of the foot.

The line |1835 given the form in horizontal projection of the yline of the inner longitudinal arch of"'tlie-average.foot..v :Since thelifteblanks are made up in different sizes, there. beingone size of blank for each shoevsize, the form of. this line can be closely approximated to fit the average foot.f The angle of bevel' oithe surface |11 is also made to lit the bevel ofthe"'corresponding portion vofithe shoe, namely,.tha t por,tion of the upper .which engages under the inner longitudinal arch. This angle of bevelr is not constant, but 'varies' from point to 'point Yalong 'the curve llt, so--thatV the"si1rfa'ce|'l1-forms aI warped or twisted` surface, such;.a surface, for, instance, as may be generated by the Vmovement,of afstraight line which interse'ctsthe curi/,e118 and moves therealong but rconti'riually changes its angle with respect to theplane" of the facing |55. Such a surface will have straight line elements, but will be warped or twisted from one end to the other. Finally, a fifth beveled surface is formed around the outer .edge of the blank so as to form it roughly to the shape of a shoe. This surface is indicated at ils and may be considered as 'starting about at the point c in Figure 9, which is the. terminus of the surfacev |11, and extending vall the way around the heel portion of the blank and up the left side to the forward limit of the blank.

This form of blank not only reduces the necessary cutting toa minimum when the blankis` fitted to a foot, but the arrangement is such that the surface Hl ordinarily is not altered by the forming tool ii'B. One reason for preforming this surface lil' as nearly as possible to its final form -is that the portion of the shoe which is engaged by this portion of the blank is a part ofV the upper, which is of soft leather and relatively flexible. Accordingly, this part of the shoe does not present a solid abutment which may be easily. followed -by the stylus of the forming machine. Accordingly, by preforming this part of the blank to its final form and then forming-the remaining surface of the liftto conform to this preformed surface, an accurately fitted lift may be made which will fit the shoe at all points.

It will be seen that this invention provides a blank-and-holder combination whereby a liftblank may be accurately positioned and securely supported in position for operation thereon of forming apparatus of the character described. The blank, although constructed mainly of bulk material, is provided with a facing of tensionable material, and is mounted in the holder by se curing the facing and tensioning the same in the holder. The anchoring means engaging the facing is so organized with respect to the cooperating means on the blank that the mounting can be carried out in only one way, such as to position the blank correctly in the machine. By arranging the anchoring devices in perverted or pervertible relation, right and left blanks may be handled on the same devices and each will be properly positioned.

While the invention has been described in each case as embodied in a unitary device or assembly, it wiil be understood that individual features or subcombinations may be employed by themselves or in other combinations, and that such use is contemplated by this invention when within the scope of the appended claims. ,It Will be understood, also,.that various changes may be made in the details of construction within 'the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit ofY this invention, and that the invention is not limited to the specific details shown and described.

The invention having what is claimed is:

l. A lift-blank of the character described, comprising, a substantially flat body of cork hav-v ing a substantially plane layer of tensily-strong fabric incorporated therewith, and attaching means associated with the blank engageable with tensioning means and constructed and arranged for tensioning the blank in a holder.

2. A lift-blank of the character'describedccmprising, a substantially fiat body of relatively soft lift-pad material workable by a forming tool, a substantially plane layer of tensily-strong 'fabric incorporated tlierewith,--and attaching means associated with 'the blank engageable'with tensioning means and constructed and arranged for tensioning the blank in a holder.

3. A lift-blank provided on one surface there of with a sock lining, and with a chart remov- 'thus been described,

agenti,

ably mounted over said sock lining in predetermined orientation with respect to the blank and provided withone or more sole outlines providing Ja' guide for trimming a lift to a predetermined sole .size. fiflAgliftgblan-k. of the character described, comprising, a body` of, formable material, and a facing f tensionable sheet material lattached to said body, said facing having anchorage-engaging means at the ends thereof. 5'. A lift-blank of the character described, comprising, a body of formable material, and a facing of tensionable sheet material -attached to saidrbody, said facing having anchorage-engaging means at Vthe ends thereof formed to a pervertible pattern in order to .distinguish right fromleft blanks.'

c. A liftlrila'nk'of the character described, compri'sing,` a body of yformable materialfand ay facing of tensionable sheet material attached to said body, ...said .facinghaving anchorage-engaging perforations at the ends thereof.

7. A lift-blank of the charact r described, comprising, a body of formable material, and a facing of tensionable sheetmaterial'attached tosaid body, said facing having anchoragefengagingperforations at the ends.thereofarrangedin a pervertible pattern in order to distinguish right from left blanks.

8. A lift-blank of the character described, comprising,'a body of formable material, and a'facing of tensionable sheet material attached to said body, saidiacing having Va series of anchorageengagingv perforations uniformly. spaced except for. abreak in the spacing located. laterally of the axis of the blank.

9. A lift-blank of the'character described, comprising, a body of formable material, and a facing of tensionable sheet material attached to said body, said facing having anchorage-engaging perforations arrangedwith nonuniform spacing in a pervertible pattern.

Y10.. A lift-blank of the. character described, comprising, a bodyof formable material, and a facing of tensionable sheet material attached to said body andextending a substantial distance beyond the' ends thereof.

11. A lift-blank holder ofthe character described, comprising, a supporting plate mountable in a-forming machine, a series of anchorage hooks atone end of vsaid plate engageable in perforations in a blank to anchor the. same, and tensioning lmeans at the other end of said plate attachable to the blankand operableto tension the same.

12. A lift-blank holderofthencharacter described, comprising, a supporting plate mountable in a forming machine, blankanch'o'ragemeans at one end of said plate, an anchoring Amember movably mounted at the other end of said plate and having teeth engageable in yperforations in the ,blank to secure the same,` and spring means for moving said member to tension the blank.

i3. A lift-blank holder of the character described, comprising, a supporting plate mountable in a forming machine, blank-.anchorage means at one end of said plate, an anchoring member movably mounted at the other end of said plate and having teeth'engageable in perforations in the blank t secure the same,` and spring' means for movingsaidmember to tension..the.blank, said teeth being non-uniformlyspaced in a pattern symmetrical with respect to the axis of the plate but so arranged on either side of said axis as to match either of a pair of mutually perverted patterns of perforations in a pair of right and left blanks.

14. A lift-blank holder of the character described, comprising, a supporting plate mountable in a forming machine, blank-anchorage means at one end of said plate, an anchoring member movably mounted at the other end of said plate and having teeth engageable in perforations in the blank to secure the same, and

spring means for moving said member to tension 1o the blank, said teeth being non-uniformly spaced 

